Method and Apparatus for Maintaining Rolled Shirt Sleeves and Pant Legs

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method for rolling a portion of a clothing item, such as a sleeve, using a flexible band that is configurable in a substantially linear orientation and a substantially coiled orientation. The band is preferably a bistable metal spring substantially encased in a covering material. Different fabrics and slip-resistant materials may be used for the covering. An optional recessed area or hook at an end of the band engages with a button on the shirt cuff for positioning of the band for rolling. The band is aligned with an outermost edge of the sleeve cuff, the cuff and band are folded up a number of times until the desired sleeve length is reached. Inside the roll, the band is in a coiled orientation between the layers of fabric, exerting slight pressure to maintain the rolled position of the sleeve during normal arm movement.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a method and apparatus to aid in evenlyrolling shirt sleeves or pant legs and maintaining the sleeves or legsin a rolled position.

2. Description of Related Art

Shirt sleeves may be rolled by simply folding the bottom edge, hem, orcuff up onto the sleeve one or more times to temporarily shorten thelength of the sleeves. Pant legs may similarly be rolled. Frequently,normal arm and leg movements cause the fabric to unroll partially orcompletely, requiring repeated re-rolling to maintain the sleeves orpant legs in a rolled up position. There are a couple of known devicesto aid in maintaining sleeves in a rolled up position. For example, U.S.Pat. No. 6,775, 846 discloses a sleeve holder comprising an elasticband, covered with fabric and having with hook and loop connectors atthe ends to allow the band to open and close. The user rolls up his orher sleeves to the shoulder, places the one end of the opened bandthrough the collar/head opening of the shirt, around the rolled upsleeve to connect to the other end of the band. The sleeve holder in the'846 patent is externally visible outside of the shirt, making itunsightly. It also effectively turns the shirt into a sleeveless styleshirt, when some users may only want to roll their sleeves up to themid-forearm, elbow, or mid-bicep area.

Another example is found in U.S. Pat. No. 7,650,650, which discloses ashirt with built-in securing members to secure the sleeves in a rolledup position. The securing member may be stitches, which would make therolled sleeve permanent and not adjustable between a down and rolled upposition. Other permanent securing members disclosed are adhesives andrivets. The securing member may also comprise snaps or hook and loopfasteners, buttons, or zippers to allow adjustment of the sleevesbetween a rolled up and down position. The '650 patent also discloses anelastic “snugging member” that may be disposed between layers of fabricin a rolled up sleeve to reduce the diameter of the sleeve, making itconform more to the user's arm. But the securing and snugging membersare specific to one shirt and do not allow use of a single device withmultiple shirts.

There is a need for a device that can be used with multiple differentshirts and different styles of shirt sleeves (or even pant legs)interchangeably to maintain a sleeve (or pant leg) in a rolled position,that is not externally visible in use, allows for evenly sized rolls,and allows adjustability in the amount of roll applied for placement ofthe bottom of the roll on any portion of the arm (or leg).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A rolled clothing apparatus according to preferred embodiments of theinvention allows a user to roll his or her sleeve or pant leg to adesired position, to achieve evenly sized rolls, to maintain the sleeveor pant leg in the rolled position without unrolling through normal armor leg movement, is not externally visible, is comfortable to wear, andis interchangeable with different shirts and pants and different stylesof sleeves and pant legs. A rolled clothing apparatus according topreferred embodiments of the invention also allows a user to roll neckgarments, such as a shirt collar, turtle neck, or a muff to a desiredposition. A single rolled clothing apparatus according to one preferredembodiment may be configured to use interchangeably between differenttypes of clothing (such as a shirt, pant leg, and shirt collar) and/orinterchangeably between different users. According to another preferredembodiment, a single rolled clothing apparatus is specially configured,based on size, shape, band material, and/or covering material, for onetype of use (such as for a pant leg) and/or one type of user (such asfor a man) and multiple different special configurations are availableto accommodate different uses (such as shirt sleeve) and different users(such as a woman or a child). According to another preferred embodiment,a set of rolled clothing apparatuses are provided, with each of aplurality of the apparatuses comprising a characteristic (such as bandmaterial, covering material, color, pattern, size, use type, or usertype) that is different the characteristics of the other apparatuses inthe set.

According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, a rolledclothing apparatus comprises a band made of flexible material that isplaced near a bottom edge of a shirt sleeve or pant leg and allows thesleeve or leg to be folded up over the band as many times as desired toachieve the desired position of the sleeve or pant leg on the user's armor leg. Most preferably, the band comprises a first material, preferablyone or more layers of bistable spring strips (similar to a “slap” or“snap” bracelet), that is flexible and changeable between asubstantially flat orientation to a substantially coiled or circularorientation. The band is preferably substantially rigid in a widthdirection (perpendicular to the length of the band) such that the banddoes not collapse on itself or fold or substantially bend width-wise Thefirst material may be made of metal or other flexible material.

According to another preferred embodiment, the band optionally comprisesa covering, substantially or completely encasing the first material. Thecovering is preferably made from one or more materials different fromthe first material, such as silicone, fabric, leather, plastic, rubber,and/or latex. Various colors or patterns of coverings may be used foraesthetic reasons or to coordinate with clothing, although such is notnecessary since the covering will not show once the band is rolledwithin the sleeve or pant leg at least twice.

According to another preferred embodiment, the band or covering may alsobe fully or partially covered in or made from a raised, textured, slipresistant, or slightly adhesive material to aid in positioning it on thesleeve or pant leg and gripping the fabric for the initial roll.

According to another preferred embodiment, the band may be covered ormade from smooth, slightly slippery, or non-slip resistant material toprevent it from being caught on or snagging delicate fabrics duringplacement, rolling, or removal. A middle portion of the band may be madefrom a raised, textured, slip resistant, or slightly adhesive materialto aid in positioning the band, while the other portions of the band areconfigured to not stick to or grip the fabric.

According to another preferred embodiment, the band may be completely orpartially covered with one material, such as fabric or silicone, andhave one or more other, different materials, such as a different fabric,disposed on a portion of the surface of the one material or covering theportions of the band not covered by the one material.

According to another preferred embodiment, one end of the band does notconnect to the other end of the band when in use. The two ends may bespaced slightly apart, may abut each other, or may overlap.

According to yet another preferred embodiment, each end of the band orcovering may comprise a fastener configured to connect the two endstogether once in place around a sleeve or pant leg to aid in securingthe band. Such fasteners may include snaps, hook and loop tape, hook andeyelets, magnets. According to yet another preferred embodiment, aplurality of longitudinally spaced apart fasteners may be included onthe band or covering to allow for adjustment of a circumference of theapparatus when in a coiled orientation.

According to yet another preferred embodiment, one or both ends of theband or covering may comprise a recessed area or a connector, such as ahook, or both. The recessed area and connector configured to connect toor releasably engage with a button that may be present on the cuff of ashirt to aid in positioning and securing the band to the shirt prior torolling.

These and other features, objects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood from a consideration of thefollowing detailed description of the preferred embodiments and appendedclaims in conjunction with the drawings. Although the discussion of thepreferred embodiments will focus on use of the apparatus with rolledshirt sleeves, the invention may be used with pant legs, jacket sleeves,neck related clothing items, and the like, as will be understood bythose of ordinary skill in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The apparatus of the invention is further described and explained inrelation to the following drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of one preferred embodiment of an apparatusaccording to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of another preferred embodiment of anapparatus according to the invention;

FIG. 5 is side elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is an end elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 4;

FIG. 9A is a partial side elevation of an alternate configuration of theembodiment of FIG. 4;

FIG. 9B is a partial side elevation of an alternate configuration of theembodiment of FIG. 4

FIG. 10A is an end elevation of the embodiment of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10B is an end elevation of the embodiment of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10C is an end elevation of the embodiment of FIG. 8 with a firstset of optional facets removed to allow a better view of second set ofoptional facets;

FIG. 10D is an end elevation of the embodiment of FIG. 8 with a firstset of optional facets removed to allow a better view of second set ofoptional facets;

FIG. 11 shows a preferred placement of the embodiment of FIG. 4 near anoutermost edge of a clothing item to be rolled;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 4 as beingrolled between layers of fabric of the clothing item being rolled

FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 4 as rolledbetween layers of fabric of the clothing item being rolled.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, one preferred embodiment of a rolled clothingapparatus 10 depicted. Apparatus 10 is shown in a linear orientation inthe figures. When in use, apparatus 10 will take on a circular, coiledorientation loosely conforming to the size of the body part with whichapparatus 10 is designed to be used (an arm, leg, or neck). Apparatus 10preferably comprises a band 12 having a first end 20, a second end 22, atop surface 32, and bottom surface 34. Band 12 preferably comprises afirst end portion 16 disposed near first end 20, a second end portion 18disposed near second end 22, and a middle portion 14 disposed betweenportions 16, 18. Band 12 is preferably one or more layers of bistablespring strips or bands made of metal (preferably stainless steel) orother resilient flexible material, similar to a “slap bracelet.” Firstand second end portions 16, 18, and middle portion 14 are preferably thesame width, but varying width similar to portions 116, 118, and 114(discussed below) may also be used. The overall width of apparatus 10 ispreferably around 1.5 cm to 4 cm, but other widths may also be used. Foruse with rolling shirt sleeves with only a bottom hem or with a narrowcuff, the overall width is preferably narrower than for use with rollingpant legs or shirts with a standard or wide cuff. Band 12 may beslightly narrower than this overall width if a covering 112 is used. Theoverall thickness of apparatus 10 is preferably around 0.08 mm to 0.25mm, but other thicknesses may also be used. Band 12 may be slightlythinner than this overall thickness if a covering 112 is used.

Ends 20 and 22 are preferable arcuate, but other shapes, includingsquared off ends, may also be used. It is preferred that band 12 nothave sharp corners at ends 20, 22 to avoid damaging the clothing withwhich band 12 will be used or to avoid damaging any optional coveringmaterial that may be used with band 12. When deformed to a coiled orcircular orientation, ends 20, 22 may be spaced slightly apart, may abuteach other, or may overlap, depending on the length of band 12 and thesize of the user's arm, leg, or neck. Band 12 will function adequatelyif the ends 20, 22 are spaced apart, abut, or overlap, but it ispreferred that if they are spaced apart the gap between the ends 20, 22not be more than around 40% of the user's arm, neck, or leg measurement.Most preferably, for children the gap is not more than 6 cm for an armor 8 cm for a leg. Most preferably for adults, the gap is not more than12 cm for an arm or 15 cm for a leg.

The overall length of apparatus 10 is preferably around 10 to 30 cm inlength, depending on the desired use. The overall length of apparatus 10may be shorter for use with children's or women's clothing and longerfor use with men's clothing, for example. Band 12 may be slightlyshorter than this overall length if a covering 112 is used. Having alonger band 12 allows greater flexibility of use between different users(with different sized body parts) and between different types ofclothing, so it is most preferred that band 12 be around 20 to 30 cmlong for adults and around 10 to 20 cm long for children. Since ends 20and 22 may overlap each other in a coiled orientation during use, anyexcess length of band 12 that is greater than the size of the body partwith which apparatus 10 is being used is not problematic; however, it ispreferred that the overlap not be more than 50% of the total length ofapparatus 10.

According to yet another preferred embodiment, each end 20, 22 of band12 may comprise a fastener configured to connect the two ends togetheronce in place around a sleeve or pant leg to aid in securing the band.Such fasteners may include snaps, hook and loop tape, hook and eyelets,magnets. When band 12 is made from bistable spring bands, the ends willeffectively be held together (into a coiled orientation, though the endswill not necessarily touching or overlapping) when the band is deformedinto a coiled or circular orientation, such that it is not necessary tohave fasteners. Fasteners are preferred when band 12 is made from otherflexible material that will not hold a coiled or circular shape withoutthe ends 20, 22 being fastened together. One or more fasteners may bespaced apart along a portion of the length of band 12 near one or bothends 20, 22 to allow for adjustment in the circumference of the circleformed when the fasteners are connected to allow band 12 to be used bydifferent users (such as a child or adult) or different sized body parts(such as a sleeve roll being smaller than a pant roll).

Band 12 preferably has an arcuate shape across its width, such that topsurface 32 is concave and bottom surface 34 is convex (best seen in FIG.3). This configuration aids in allowing band 12 to be deformed from alinear orientation into a coiled or circular orientation for use. Mostpreferably, band 12 is uniform in width (other than rounding at ends 20,22) and thickness over the entirety of its surface (the taperingappearance at 36, 38 is due to curvature).

Referring to FIGS. 4-10D, band 12 may be covered with a variety ofcovering materials 112, such as silicone, fabric, leather, plastic,paper, tape or adhesive backed materials, rubber or latex. Mostpreferably, any covering 112 substantially or completely covers theinterior metal or other resilient flexible material of band 12 and doesnot interfere with the deformation of band 12 between linear andcircular orientations. A covering 112 is preferred, particularly if band12 is made from metal, but is optional.

Cover or covering 112 preferably comprises a first end portion 116, asecond end portion 118, and a middle portion 114. Middle portion 114 ispreferably narrower in width (as shown in FIG. 4) than first end portion116 or second end portion 118, such that sides of band covering 112 arearcuate. Preferably, the first end portion 116 and second end portion118 are around the same width and the ratio of the widths of endportions 116, 118 to 114 is around 2:1 to around 10:9. Preferably, endportions 116, 118 are around 1.5 to 5.5 cm wide and more preferablyaround 3.2 to 3.9 cm wide. Middle portion is preferably around 1.5 to5.1 cm wide and more preferably around 2.2 to 2.9 cm wide. Middleportion 114 is preferably narrower in thickness (as shown in FIG. 5)than first end portion 116 or second end portion 118. Preferably, thefirst end portion 116 and second end portion 118 are around the samethickness and the ratio of the thicknesses of end portions 116, 118 to114 is around 2:1 to around 8:1. Preferably, the total thickness of endportions 116, 118 (both layers/sides of the covering material and thethickness of band 12 inside covering 112) are around 1 to 6 mm thick andtotal thickness of middle portion 114 (both sides of covering and thethickness of band 12 inside covering) is around 1 to 3 mm thick. Mostpreferably, the total thickness of end portions 116, 118 is around 3.25mm thick and the total thickness of middle portion is around 1.5 mmthick. If no covering is included with apparatus 10, the width of thefirst middle portion of the band 14 is around 1.4 to 5 cm, the width ofeach of the first and second end portions 16, 18 is around 1.4 to 5.4cm, the length of the band is around 10 to 29 cm, and the thickness ofthe band is around 0.08 to 0.4 mm.

The tapered shape of covering 112 aids in conforming to the curvature ofthe user's body. Band 12 (with or without covering 112) may also have ashape similar to covering 112 as shown in FIGS. 4-6. Alternatively,covering 112 may also have a shape similar to band 12 as shown in FIG.1, where end portions 116, 118 are the same width as middle portion 114.It is still preferred that covering 112 be tapered in thickness nearends 120, 122.

Band covering 112 also preferably has an arcuate shape across its width,such that top surface 132 is concave and bottom surface 134 is convex(best seen in FIGS. 5, 7, and 8), conforming to the preferred shape ofband 12. This configuration aids in allowing band covering 112 tocontour to band 12 when it is deformed from a linear orientation into acircular orientation for use.

Covering 112 may comprise any number of materials differing in color,pattern (which may be printed or woven), texture, wording (if words areimprinted or woven into the covering) or nature (with woven clothfabric, silicone, paper, adhesive backed tape or other materials,rubber, plastic, and leather each being of a different nature than theothers, for example). Different materials may be used for aestheticreasons, for branding purposes, to provide instructions for use (such asidentifying which side of apparatus 10 should be placed against thefabric to be rolled when making the first roll, since band 12 will onlycoil in one direction), or to coordinate with clothing.

Optionally disposed on a bottom surface 134 of covering 112 is embossedor raised material 126. According to one preferred embodiment, raisedmaterial 126 differs from the one or more other materials on bottomsurface 134 in color, pattern, texture, or nature. According to anotherpreferred embodiment, raised materials 126 is the same as one or moreother materials on bottom surface 134 in color, pattern, texture, ornature. Raised material 126 may be configured in one or more stripes,dots, zig-zags, or other patterns in a vertical (longitudinal) orhorizontal orientation on surface 134. Raised material 126 is preferablytextured or made from slip-resistant materials (such as rubber orsilicone), or a slight adhesive material to provide some grip againstthe fabric, to aid in positioning band covering 112 and maintainingapparatus 10 in the correct position while the first and second rollsare being made. Raised material 126 also visually aids the user to knowwhich side of apparatus 10 should be placed against the fabric to berolled when making the first roll. Most preferably, raised material 126extends over substantially the full length of band covering 112. Raisedmaterial 126 may also be disposed directly on bottom surface 34 of band12, if no covering 112 is used.

Disposed in end 122 is an optional, but preferable, recessed area 124.Recessed area 124 may be a simple arcuate U- or V-shaped notch in end122, to allow insertion of a button when apparatus 10 is being used witha shirt sleeve having a buttoned cuff. Insertion of a button intorecessed area 124 aids in aligning apparatus 10 and maintainingapparatus 10 in the correct position while the first and second rollsare being made. Recessed area 124 is preferably substantially V-shapedwith a flattened interior end 131 and comprises a pair of first facets128 and a pair of second facets 130 disposed nearer top surface 132. Theopening of recessed area 124 is preferably around 2 mm to 20 mm wide andnarrows to around 1 mm to 6 mm wide near end 131. First facets 128 arepreferably each angled in a direction from top surface 132 toward bottomsurface 134 and inwardly (tilted) toward a central longitudinal axis ofcover 112. One of the second facets 130 is preferably disposed inwardlyfrom each of the first facets 128. Second facets 130 are also preferablyeach angled in a direction from top surface 132 toward bottom surface134 and inwardly (tilted) toward a central longitudinal axis of cover112. The angle α1 of each first facet 128 from an axis substantiallyperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of covering 112 as shown in FIG.10A is from around 40 to around 70 degrees. The angle α2 of tilt foreach first facet 128 from a horizontal axis as shown in FIG. 10B is fromaround 10 to around 35 degrees. The angle α3 of each second facet 130from an axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis ofcovering 112 as shown in FIG. 10C is from around 40 to around 70degrees. The angle α4 of tilt for each second facet 130 from ahorizontal axis as shown in FIG. 10D is from around 10 to around 35degrees. Facets 128 are removed in FIGS. 10C-10D to allow a better viewof facets 130. Facets 128 and 130 aid in guiding different sized buttonsinto recessed area 124. Recessed area 124 may alternatively be disposedin end 120 or in both ends 102, 122.

Similarly, a connector or hook 140 as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B may alsobe disposed extending outwardly from end 122 (or end 120 or both) tohook onto a button on the shirt sleeve. Hook 140 may be used as analternative to recessed area 124 or in addition to recessed area 124.Optionally, band 12 may also include a recessed area in and/or a hookextending from end 20 and/or 22, particularly if a covering 112 is notused or, if a covering 112 is used, the end of band with a recessed areaand/or hook may be exposed and not fully covered by covering 112.

Referring to FIGS. 11-13, a preferred method of creating a uniform rollon a clothing item, preferably using apparatus 10, comprises placing aband (such as band 12, with or without covering 112) against theunrolled item of clothing to be rolled, preferably holding band 12 nearmiddle portion 14 at or near an outermost (or bottom) edge 144 of amiddle portion of the clothing item (such as the middle of a shirtcuff). Bottom surface 34 or 134 is preferably placed next to theclothing fabric 142, with top surface 32 or 132 facing out as shown inFIG. 11. The user preferably aligns a side edge (or bottom edge of band12 in a horizontal direction) of band 12 (or covering 112) with anoutermost edge 144 of the portion of the clothing item to be rolled suchthat the band 112 (or covering 112) does not extend substantiallyoutwardly from the outermost edge 144. The band may extend slightlybelow (or outwardly) of the initial outermost edge 144 of the fabric,but it is preferred to be even with the outermost edge or slightly abovethe outermost edge as shown in FIG. 11. If optional recessed area 124 isincluded on band 12 or covering 112, and the clothing item being rolledhas a button 146, then button 146 is inserted into recessed area 124 asshown in FIG. 11. Similarly, optional hook 140 would be hooked aroundbutton 146 if hook 140 is included in apparatus 10. The user holds band12 against the fabric 142 while bringing the outermost or bottom edge144 of the fabric and band 12 upwards to make the first roll in a firstfolding step, which places the band between a first and second layer offabric and creates a new outermost edge (e.g. 144-1) of the portion offabric being rolled. Preferably, band 12 is still in a linearorientation as the first roll is being made and the slight pressureapplied to it during the rolling (or folding steps) causes it to deforminto a circular orientation.

After the first roll is made, band 12 is disposed between two layers offabric, with one side edge still exposed (although it may be hidden bythe fabric layers and not be very visible). The user then repeats thefolding step by holding the outermost side (or bottom edge) of band 12between the fabric layers and bringing it upwards again to make the nextroll, creating another new outermost edge (e.g. 144-2 and then 144-3) ofthe clothing item and disposing the band between three layers of fabric,then four layers of fabric, etc. A first roll being folded into a secondroll is shown in in FIG. 12. A cross-section of apparatus 10 in a thirdroll is shown in FIG. 13. The folding process is repeated until thesleeve, pant leg, or neck covering is rolled to the desired amount, witheach fold creating a new outermost edge of the fabric of the clothingitem and placing the band between successive numbers of layers offabric. It is noted that with neck covering the direction of the rollsis downward, rather than upward. Preferably, each roll is substantiallythe same width as band 12 (or covering 112), allowing the rolls to besubstantially uniform in size. Once the second roll has been made, band12 is completely encased in fabric and not externally visible. Thecircular or coiled orientation of band 12 applies gentle pressure on thefabric, which resists unrolling during normal arm, leg, or headmovements. The pressure is not substantial enough to be uncomfortable tothe user.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will also appreciate upon readingthis specification and the description of preferred embodiments hereinthat modifications and alterations to the apparatus may be made withinthe scope of the invention and it is intended that the scope of theinvention disclosed herein be limited only by the broadestinterpretation of the appended claims to which the inventors are legallyentitled.

We claim:
 1. A method of rolling a portion of a clothing item, themethod comprising aligning a longitudinal side of a band with anoutermost edge of the portion of the clothing item to be rolled suchthat the band does not extend substantially outwardly from the outermostedge; folding the outermost edge of the portion of the clothing item andthe band to place the band between a first and second layer of fabric ofthe clothing item and create a new outermost edge of the portion of theclothing item to be rolled; repeating the folding step for each newoutermost edge to place the band between successive numbers of layers offabric, until the portion of the clothing item is rolled to the desiredlength; and wherein the band comprises a first material that is flexiblein a longitudinal direction, allowing it to be positioned in asubstantially linear orientation or a substantially coiled orientation,and wherein the band optionally comprises a covering materialsubstantially encasing the first material.
 2. The method of claim 1wherein the portion of the clothing item comprises a button near theoutermost edge, the method further comprising positioning the button ina recessed area disposed at an end of the band prior to the firstfolding step, or positioning a hook disposed at an end of the bandaround the button prior to the first folding step or both.
 3. The methodof claim 1 further comprising connecting a first fastener disposed at afirst end of the band to a second fastener disposed at the second end ofthe band prior to the first folding step; and wherein the first andsecond fasteners comprise mating parts of a snap, magnet, hook and eyeclosure, or hook and loop tape.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein thealigning step is performed while the band is in a substantially linearorientation and the band changes to the substantially coiled orientationduring one of the folding steps.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein theband is curved across its width such that a top surface is concave and abottom surface is convex and wherein the aligning step further comprisesplacing the bottom surface against the fabric.
 6. The method of claim 5wherein the bottom surface comprises a visual indicator to differentiateit from the top surface, or one or more portions of slip-resistantmaterial, or both.
 7. The method of claim 1 wherein the band issubstantially rigid in a direction perpendicular to its length.
 8. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the first material comprises one or morelayers of (a) bistable spring bands made from metal or (b) a materialthat is substantially flexible in a longitudinal direction, and whereinthe covering material comprises one or more of fabric, leather, plastic,paper, adhesive backed material, silicone, or rubber.
 9. The method ofclaim 8 wherein the covering material comprises a first end, a secondend, and a middle portion, wherein the first and second ends are widerthan the middle portion.
 10. The method of claim 9 wherein the first andsecond ends are thicker than the middle portion.
 11. An apparatus toroll a portion of a clothing item, the apparatus comprising: a bandcomprising a first top surface, a first bottom surface, a first endportion, a first middle portion, and a second middle portion; anoptional covering substantially encasing the band, the coveringcomprising a third end portion, a fourth end portion, a second middleportion, a second top surface, and a second bottom surface; wherein, ifno covering is included, the first middle portion of the band isnarrower in width than the first and second end portions of the band or,if a covering is included, the second middle portion of the covering isnarrower in width than the third and forth end portions of the covering;and wherein the band is flexible in a longitudinal direction, allowingthe apparatus to be configurable between a substantially linearorientation and a substantially coiled orientation to wrap at leastpartially around an edge of a clothing item to be rolled.
 12. Theapparatus of claim 11 wherein the first top surface is concave and thefirst bottom surface of the band is convex when the apparatus is in asubstantially linear orientation.
 13. The apparatus of claim 11 furthercomprising: a recessed area in at least one of the end portions, therecessed area configured to receive a button on the clothing item; or ahook extending outwardly from at least one of the end portions, the hookconfigured to engage a button on the clothing item; or both.
 14. Theapparatus of claim 13 wherein the recessed area comprises a first pairof side facets, each angled in a direction from the second top surfacetoward the second bottom surface of the covering and toward a centrallongitudinal axis of the covering.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14 furthercomprising a second pair of side facets, disposed inwardly from thefirst pair of side facets, each of the second pair of side facets angledin a direction from the second top surface toward the second bottomsurface of the covering and toward the central longitudinal axis of thecovering; wherein the angle of the first pair of side facets isdifferent than the angle of the second pair of side facets.
 16. Theapparatus of claim 11 wherein the band comprises one or more layers ofmetal bistable spring strips and wherein the covering comprises one ormore of fabric, leather, plastic, silicone, or rubber
 17. The apparatusof claim 11 wherein the second bottom surface comprises a visualindicator to differentiate it from the second top surface, or one ormore portions of slip-resistant material, or both.
 18. The apparatus ofclaim 11 wherein the band is substantially rigid in a directionperpendicular to its length.
 19. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein thefirst end portion or third end portion comprises a first fastener andthe second end portion or fourth end portion comprises one or moresecond fasteners, the first fastener configured to engage with the oneor more second fasteners to connect the two end portions together;wherein the first and second fasteners comprise mating parts of a snap,magnet, hook and eye closure, or hook and loop tape; and wherein whentwo or more second fasteners are provided, they are spaced apartlongitudinally from an outer end of the second end portion to allow foradjustment of a circumference of the band when in a coiled orientation.20. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein, if no covering is included, thewidth of the first middle portion of the band is around 1.4 to 5 cm, thewidth of each of the first and second end portions is around 1.4 to 5.4cm, the length of the band is around 10 to 29 cm, and the thickness ofthe band is around 0.08 to 0.4 mm; and wherein, if a covering isincluded, the width of the second middle portion of the covering isaround 1.5 to 5.1 cm, the width of each of the third and fourth endportions is around 1.5 to 5.5 cm, the length of the covering is around11 to 30 cm, and the total thickness of the apparatus is around 1 to 6mm.